Narrows Center for the Arts amps up the lineup this summer

Block-A-Palooza is back again, this time with Buckwheat Zydeco taking the stage for the free show.

This summer at the Narrows Center for the Arts promises to be hot, and cold.

With the first full summer of air conditioning, the schedule of shows that usually slows down a bit in the hotter months, is chock full of great acts including Delbert McClinton, Leon Russell and Shawn Colvin in July, and Bettye LaVette, Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes and Johnette Napolitano, of Concrete Blonde in August.

And summer at the Narrows isn’t all indoors either, said Executive Director Patrick Norton. Once again this year, the Narrows is teaming up with People, Incorporated and the City of Fall River for the second annual Block-A-Palooza on July 17. Held on a stage on South Main Street in front of the courthouse, Block-A-Palooza is a night of music and dancing to showcase the downtown, said Norton.

The headliner for this year’s Block-A-Palooza is Buckwheat Zydeco, the band Jimmy Fallon selected to perform on his last night as host of “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” before moving on to the “Tonight Show.”

“We’re trying to do something that accentuates the downtown in a positive way,” said Norton. “It’s a really fun event – it’s something Bob Canuel and I are proud of putting together.” Last year, about 2,000 people attended the outdoor concert that Norton and Canual, People Incorporated president and CEO planned.

A Narrows favorite, Norton said Buckwheat Zydeco is an amazing act and one of the most celebrated zydeco bands in the country. Headed up by Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural Jr., the band performed at both of the Clinton inaugurations and can lay claim to having the top three selling zydeco records in the country.

Sponsored by BayCoast Bank, BankFive, and Bristol County Savings Bank, the free night of music starts off with Girls, Guns and Glory performing Americana style music. “It should be a great show, they’re a popular band, and Buckwheat Zydeco knows how to bring the party,” said Norton.

Another popular Narrows event, the Festival of the Arts will be back again this year Sept. 13, but due to the road construction in that area, the outdoor music will be held at Heritage State Park. The lineup includes Eric Lindell, Paul Thorne Band, Delta Generators and Fruition, a Colorado-based bluegrass act.

Summer starts off with the legendary Duke Robillard on Saturday, June 21, and local musicians Red Eye Flight’s CD release party on Sunday, June 22.

On Saturday, July 5, self-described Texas roadhouse singer McClinton will kick off the month with his nine-piece band in what Norton described as a rhythm and blues all star affair. A Grammy Award winning act and friend of radio personality Don Imus, McClinton is quoted as saying his music is “adult rock and roll....” rich with the stories of the people he knew growing up.

Folk singer Shawn Colvin, who is most well known for her song, “Sunny Came Home,” from her album “A Few Small Repairs,” takes the stage on Friday, July 11.

The end of the month wraps up with a bang, with two great back-to-back shows: the legendary Leon Russell on Friday, July 31 and Bettye LaVette on Aug. 1. A Narrows favorite, Russell’s shows at the venue always sell out, said Norton. And LaVette is another act that brings the party. A rhythm and blues singer who got her start in Detriot in the 1960s, LaVette burst onto the national stage in 2008 with her astounding and acclaimed performance of the The Who song, “Love Reign O’er Me” at the Kennedy Center Honors.

Rich Robinson is taking a break from the Black Crowes to tour with a new record and his own full band, said Norton. “He’s got a real rock and roll sound — I’m really looking forward to it,” said Norton. Another rocker, Johnette Napolitano, who is most known for singing the Concrete Blonde hit “Joey,” will take the stage on Saturday, Aug. 23.